President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Lebanon, Belarus, relations between Turkey and Greece, human rights report and Government Report on Foreign and Security Policy

President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss Lebanon, Belarus, relations between Turkey and Greece, human rights report and Government Report on Foreign and Security Policy.

On Friday 14 August, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in Lebanon. Following the explosion in Beirut on 4 August, Finland granted EUR one million to the emergency operation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Lebanon. Medical supplies and a team trained in international rescue operations were also sent to Beirut. In addition, Finland will continue its other long-term support to Lebanon, in particular through crisis management and development assistance. Preparations are being made to repair the premises of the Finnish Embassy in Beirut that were damaged on 4 August.

The President and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy also discussed the situation in Belarus following the presidential elections held on 9 August. The elections were neither free nor fair, and there was failure to comply with the standards of democracy and the rule of law. It is highly regrettable that the OSCE election observers were not admitted to the country. Disproportionate force was used by the security authorities during the election campaign and after the elections. The unrest in Belarus is ongoing and the situation remains a cause of concern.
 
In addition, the President and the Ministerial Committee discussed tensions between Greece and Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean. It is important that diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation continue.
 
The President and the Ministerial Committee received an update on the premises and objectives for the preparation of the Government human rights report. The human rights report draws on the Government's work on fundamental and human rights issues on a long-term basis, examining them at international, national and EU level. 
 
The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy also discussed the Government Report on Foreign and Security Policy.
 
Inquiries: Kai Sauer, Under-Secretary of State, tel. +358 295 350 341; Mikko Kinnunen, Director General, tel. +358 295 351 820; Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Director General, (Lebanon), tel. +358 295 351 977, Ministry for Foreign Affairs